Biomedical Devices and Instrumentation Commons^™

Assessment Of Electrode Configurations Of Electrical Impedance Myography For The Evaluation Of Neuromuscular Diseases, Khondokar Mohammad Fazle Rabbi

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a painless, noninvasive approach to measure the neuromuscular disease status. EIM parameters- resistance (R), reactance (X) and phase (θ) depend significantly on subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle size and inter electrode distance. The objective of this research is to find an electrode configuration which can minimize the effects on EIM parameters due to subcutaneous fat thickness variation. In this study, a model of human upper arm was developed using finite element method (FEM), which has already been established as an appropriate approach for the analysis of non-symmetrical shape for assessing alternations of muscle in disease-induced changes …

Monolithic Optofluidic Ring Resonator Lasers Created By Femtosecond Laser Nanofabrication, Hengky Chandrahalim, Qiushu Chen, Ali A. Said, Mark Dugan, Xudong Fan

Faculty Publications

We designed, fabricated, and characterized a monolithically integrated optofluidic ring resonator laser that is mechanically, thermally, and chemically robust. The entire device, including the ring resonator channel and sample delivery microfluidics, was created in a block of fused-silica glass using a 3-dimensional femtosecond laser writing process. The gain medium, composed of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) dissolved in quinoline, was flowed through the ring resonator. Lasing was achieved at a pump threshold of approximately 15 μJ/mm². Detailed analysis shows that the Q-factor of the optofluidic ring resonator is 3.3 × 10⁴, which is limited by both solvent …

Neural Network Based Emg Driven Modeling And Control Of Human Walking, Alaa Muheddin Abdulrahman

Theses and Dissertations

Human body modeling (HBM) offers the benefit of replicating human activity into robotics and rehabilitation devices. Gait impairment is a consequence of several diseases like stroke, spinal cord injury, or Parkinson' disease. The modeling techniques developed in robotics have been used to improve gait abnormalities in walking and in building Exoskeletal robots. HBM is resource intensive as it requires setting-up laboratory facilities and using expensive instruments. Further, the data acquired is limited to the number of the participants. In addition, the accuracy of the model is important as it is related to human pathology. In this research, several Matlab based …

Processing And Mechanical Testing Of Strontium-Substituted Hydroxyapatite/Glass Composites, Chokchai Yatongchai, Mark R. Towler, Anthony W. Wren

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Sr-HA/Glass composites were produced. Phase composition of composites was evaluated. Their physical and mechanical properties were determined. Sintered composites mainly consisted of Sr-HA/β-TCP, or β-TCP/Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇. The composites had porosity up to 4 times those of undoped Sr-HA. Compared to undoped Sr-HA, the Sr-HA/Glass composites had lower biaxial flexural strength and hardness. The Weibull modulus for the composites ranged from 2.77 to 18.74.

Development Of A Novel Device For The Perfusion Driven Decellularization Of Skeletal Muscle, Benjamin Kasukonis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Decellularization of skeletal muscle is a process that removes cellular components of skeletal muscle tissue while leaving behind the intact extracellular matrix (ECM). Skeletal muscle ECM is currently being studied as a biologic scaffold for repairing volumetric muscle loss (VML) because the removal of cells greatly reduces the antigenicity of the donor tissue. Decellularization usually relies on passive diffusion of detergents, surfactants and/or osmotic solutions to strip cells from the ECM. However, passive diffusion alone is usually not sufficient for complete removal of cells from the interior of large pieces of skeletal muscle using detergents, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate …

A Portable Impedance Biosensing System Based On A Laptop With Labview For Rapid Detection Of Avian Influenza Virus, Yixiang Wang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) H5N1 is a highly pathogenic virus found not only in birds but also in human. Rapid and sensitive detection method is needed to help prevent the spread of AIV H5N1. In this study, a portable impedance biosensing system based on a laptop with LabVIEW software was developed for detection of AIV H5N1. First, a virtual instrument was programmed with LabVIEW software to form a platform for impedance measurement, data processing and control. The audio card of a laptop was used as a function generator while a data acquisition card was used with the signal channels for …

Development Of A Heart Rate Variability Measurement System Using Embedded Electronics, Naresh Kumar Velmurugan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent advances in embedded electronics have a remarkable influence on the health care system. One of the most important applications is to monitor the health care of the patients at anytime and anyplace. In the last two decades, many researchers have focused mainly on heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. Patient's heart rate variability should be continuously monitored to help them in case of emergency. Under these circumstances, patients are required to have a HRV measuring kit for a constant observation.

The proposed project focuses on the development of a heart rate variability measurement system with the use of embedded electronics. …

Designing A Biomimetic Testing Platform For Actuators In A Series-Elastic Co-Contraction System, Ryan Tyler Schroeder

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Actuators determine the performance of robotic systems at the most intimate of levels. As a result, much work has been done to assess the performance of different actuator systems. However, biomimetics has not previously been utilized as a pretext for tuning a series elastic actuator system with the purpose of designing an empirical testing platform. Thus, an artificial muscle tendon system has been developed in order to assess the performance of two distinct actuator types: (1) direct current electromagnetic motors and (2) ultrasonic rotary piezoelectric motors. Because the design of the system takes advantage of biomimetic operating principles such as …

Induction Of Differentiation Of Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Dpsc), Aubrey Young

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Mesenchymal stem cells are derived from a variety of human tissues and are being bioengineered and studied for possible uses in the advancement of medicine. Recent efforts are being focused on Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC's) due to the accessibility of this tissue. Many factors influence DPSC quality and quantity, including the specific methods used to isolate, collect, concentrate, and store these isolates once they are removed. Ancillary factors, such as the choice of media, the selection of early versus late passage cells, and cryopreservation techniques may also influence the differentiation potential and proliferative capacity of DPSC isolates.

The objective …

Wear Resistant And Biocompatible Coatings For Medical Devices And Method Of Fabrication, Mary Gilliam, Susan Farhat, Ali Zand

Chemical Engineering Patents

Abstract: A method of forming a biocompatible or biologically inert article for use in an application in which the article will make contact with at least one tissue, organ, or fluid within a human or animal body is provided. The method generally comprises providing an article having an external sur face; selecting chemical precursors; using a means to direct one or more chemical precursors towards or to apply such chemical precursors to the ex ternal surface; activating the chemical precursors by exposing said precursors to atmospheric pressure plasma; and grafting and/or cross-linking the chem ical precursors to form a solid …

Characterization Of Bone Material Properties And Microstructure In Osteogenesis Imperfecta/Brittle Bone Disease, John Robert Jameson

Dissertations (1934 -)

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder primarily associated with mutations to type I collagen and resulting in mild to severe bone fragility. To date, there is very little data quantifying OI cortical bone mechanics. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate bone microstructure, mineralization, and mechanical properties in adolescents with OI. Characterization studies were performed on small osteotomy specimens obtained from the extremities during routine corrective surgeries. Nanoindentation was used to examine the longitudinal elastic modulus and hardness at the material level for mild OI type I vs. severe OI type III. Both modulus and hardness were significantly …

Applications Of Novel Mri Technologies In Tissue Engineering And Disease Diagnosis, Vahid Khalilzad-Sharghi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) are increasingly under investigation to explore their potential role in establishing effective evaluation methods for the procedure of tissue regeneration carried out in vitro, in vivo, and in disease diagnosis. To this end, there is a continuous pursuit of novel tools both in vitro and in vivo. For instance, there is a great need for the development and evaluation of an MR-compatible incubation system that enables simultaneous monitoring and culturing of cell and tissue constructs using MRI techniques. Such an imagingcompatible incubation system eliminates exposing the culture to the risks of …

Kinematic Analysis Of The Glenohumeral Joint: A Comparison Of Post-Operative Rotator Cuff Repair Patients And Controls, Ryan Richard Inawat

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Rotator cuff (RC) repair is a standard surgical intervention used to alleviate pain and loss of function in the shoulder due to torn RC tendons, involving re-attachment of the tendon to the humerus. Quantitative evaluation of kinematics following RC repair is possible with video motion analysis techniques, yet is rarely performed. With the purpose of quantifying the effects of RC repair, a Vicon 524 (Oxford, UK) motion analysis system was used to investigate three-dimensional (3D) kinematics of the glenohumeral (GH) joint and thorax following supraspinatus repair. A validated, 18 marker, inverse dynamics model based on ISB standards was applied to …

Apparatus And Method For Remote Assessment And Therapy Management In Medical Devices Via Interface Systems, Jeffrey Hargrove, Robert M. Ford, Thomas B. Johnson

Mechanical Engineering Patents

A remote medical assessment and therapy management apparatus comprising a center user interface, a center computer coupleable with the center user interface. The center computer displays information via the center user interface for use in developing a therapeutic prescription and receives therapeutic control inputs from a user. A remote device includes a medical diagnostic instrument for acquiring biophysical data from a patient, a medical therapeutic instrument that provides a therapy to the patient, and a remote computer that receives diagnostic signals from the diagnostic instrument and transmits therapeutic control signals to the therapeutic instrument. A network interface is connected between …

Cutaneous Electrode Positioning, Jeffrey Hargrove, Susan R. Briggs

Mechanical Engineering Patents

A device and method for positioning a cutaneous electrode for delivery of electrical stimulation to a subject's head. A harness is worn on a subject's head with a first band of the harness worn in a closed loop around the subject's head and around a desired contact location on the subject's head. A tensioning strap of the harness is worn across the desired contact location and connected at spaced-apart attachment locations of the strap to spaced-apart attachment locations of the harness such that an electrode disposed over the desired contact location on the subject's head is held in place by …

Comparison Of Electronic And Mechanical Handgrip Devices In Lowering Blood Pressure, Katie Webb, Brandon Musarra, Megan O’Keefe, Shana Strunk, Courtney Perkins, Kenneth E. Sparks, Emily Kullman, Eddie T.C. Lam

Undergraduate Research Posters 2014

Hypertension causes billions of deaths per year (Millar et al., 2013). The Zona PlusTM is an expensive tool designed to lower blood pressure (BP) using isometric exercise. This exercise may be achieved using a less expensive Handgrip Dynamometer. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to determine if the Zona or Handgrip Dynamometer is more efficient at lowering BP and most cost effective for patients. METHODS: Twenty subjects used the Zona and twenty subjects used the dynamometer three times per week for six weeks. BP was taken once per week prior to the treatment. A maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was …

Implementation And Validation Of Aortic Remodeling In Hypertensive Rats, Shijia Zhao, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A computational framework was implemented and validated to better understand the hypertensive artery remodeling in both geometric dimensions and material properties. Integrating the stress-modulated remodeling equations into commercial finite element codes allows a better control and visualization of local mechanical parameters. Both arterial thickening and stiffening effects were captured and visualized. An adaptive material remodeling strategy combined with the element birth and death techniques for the geometrical growth were implemented. The numerically predicted remodeling results in terms of the wall thickness, inner diameter, and the ratio of elastin to collagen content of the artery were compared with and fine-tuned by …

An Experimental Study Of The Implementation Of A Fluid Diode Inside A Sano Shunt, Patrick Austin Lane

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Fluid diodes are fluidic devices that enhance fluid flow in a particular direction while inhibiting it in the opposite direction without the use of moving parts. This is accomplished through the use of nozzle shaped geometry on one side of the diode, and cusp shaped geometry on the opposing side. Fluid meets very little resistance as is travels though the nozzle side of the diode. The cusps on the other side of the diode reduce the effective flow area, thereby inhibiting flow. The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a fluid diode installed in a reconstructed …

Development, Characterization, And Optimization Of Process For Minimal Functional Barrier And Channel Width In Nitrocellulose Paper Microfluidic Diagnostic Platforms, Ryan Daniel Silva

Biomedical Engineering

A central goal of diagnostic microfluidics is to reduce the cost of diagnostic medicine by reducing the equipment and reagents needed to perform diagnostic tests. The literature has demonstrated that a wax printer can be used to pattern nitrocellulose paper with hydrophobic barriers to direct a sample in a defined reaction path, eliminating the need for external pumps and controllers. However, manufacturing methods for minimizing sample volume (and thus reagent volume) in a paper-diagnostic chip have not been well defined. In this work, we experimentally determine manufacturing processes for creating functional features of minimal size—effectively reducing the sample size and …

Implementation And Validation Of Aortic Remodeling In Hypertensive Rats, Shijia Zhao, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A computational framework was implemented and validated to better understand the hypertensive artery remodeling in both geometric dimensions and material properties. Integrating the stress-modulated remodeling equations into commercial finite element codes allows a better control and visualization of local mechanical parameters. Both arterial thickening and stiffening effects were captured and visualized. An adaptive material remodeling strategy combined with the element birth and death techniques for the geometrical growth were implemented. The numerically predicted remodeling results in terms of the wall thickness, inner diameter, and the ratio of elastin to collagen content of the artery were compared with and fine-tuned by …